Automatic paper-elevator control for automatic sheet feeders



April 30, 1929. pmc I 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS Filed 0st.26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 121mm 670,

61 No: "a;

April. 30, 1929. ALDRICH 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS ile 00 6,1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1929. ALDRICH 1,711,076

AUTOMATIC PAPER ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDERS 3Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 26, 192'? Inventor lfiflldm'a/a Patented Apr.30, 1929.

LESTER KYLE ALDRICH, .01 SIDNEY, OHIO.

anrouarrc PAPER-ELEVATOR oomrnor. ron. auromrrc 51mm: FEEDER-iApplication filed October 26, 1927. Serial No. 228,814.

The invention relates to an automatic paper elevator control forautomatic sheet feeders such as is disclosed in Patent No. 1,546,184,granted to me July 14, 1925'.

The object of the present invention is to im-' prove the construction ofautomatic paper elevator controls for automatic sheet feeders and toprovide a simple, practical and etlicient automatic paper elevatorcontrol of strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive constructionadapted to automatically control the mechanism for elevating the stackofpaper for automatically lifting the stack and for maintaining the topof the pile at a predetermined level. l

A further object of the invention is to give a greater range to thecontrol mechanism and to. provide one which can be assembled in unitsand produced at a minimum cost.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an automatic paperelevator control which will be fool-proof and which cannot be gotten outof adjustment and in which repair parts may be installed by a novice.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic paperelevator control equipped with a feeler finger provided with a rolladapted when the feeder is running small sheets to be held firmly inengagement with the same to enable the feeder to throw a greater loop orundulation in the paper and give a better separation of the sheets andcapable when the feeder is operating on large sheets to turn freely andallow a sheet which has been dragged slightly forward to be restored toproper position by a hold-down and rcgister mechanism shown anddescribed in my copending application filed June 2, 1927, Serial No.196,208.

Another object of the invention is to provide means forcounter-balancing the feeler finger to enable the same to operate on thetail of envelopes without tipping the envelopes up at the front.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic paperelevator control in which the only adjustment required Will be anadjustment of the feeler finger to arrange the same to suit the size ofthe sheets and the character of the stock to be fed by an automaticfeeder.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointedout in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, pro rtion and minor details of construction, wit inthe scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from .thespirit or sacrificing \any of the advantages of the invention.

" In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of anautomatic paper elevatorcontrol constructed in accordance with this invention and shown'appliedto a feeder.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the manner ofmounting the vertically movable elevator board or table.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of the automatic paper elevatorcontrol.

. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan View of the automatic paper elevator control.

In the accompanying drawings the automatic paper elevator control isshown applied to the automatic feeder of the aforesaid patent, but it isadapted to be applied to various other automatic feeders as will bereadily understood. The feeder of the aforesaid patent comprises in itsconstruction a frame 1 substantially rectangular in plan View andcomposed of spaced sides connected by suitable cross bars. A verticallymovable table or elevator board 2 is provided for supporting a stack ofsheets 3 that are to be fed by the automatic feeder. The table 13 isautomatically moved upwardly for advancing the stack 3 by elevatingmechanism comprising a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve 4 extendingacross the frame of the machine and arranged between the sides thereofand provided at its ends with interiorly arranged anti-friction bearings5 which are mounted on a transverse supporting rod 6. The transversesupporting and connecting rod 6 extends entirely across the frame and isfirmly and detachabl secured in aligned transverse openings 7 y means ofclamping screws 8 mounted in suitable threaded openings 9 in the topportions of the sides of the frame of the machine. The threaded openings9 extend downwardly from the upper edges of the sides of the machine tothe transverse openings 7 and the clamping screws 8 which are providedat their upper ends with suitable heads for engagenientby a wrench orother tool firmly clamp the terminal portions of the cross rod 5. Theanti-friction bearings 5 which may be of any desired construction aremounted in counter-bores or enlargements 10 of the end portions of theopening through the sleeve. The counter-bores or enlargements 10 of thebore or opening throu h the sleeve forms shoulders against whic theanti-friction bearings abut. The sleeve 4 is supported in spacedrelation with the rigid cross rod 6 by the roll or other antifrictionbearings which reduce the friction to a minimum and at the same timesimplify the constructionby combining in one structure the connectingrod and shaft. This affords greater freedom in placing the stack uponthe elevator board or table.

The elevator board or table 2 is supported by sprocket chains 11arranged on sprocket wheels 12 mounted on the end portions of the sleeve4 and secured to the same by clamping screws 13 or other suitable means.The sprocket chains are secured at one end to the vertically movableelevator board or table and their other ends are free and are providedwith a counterweight or balance as explained in the aforesaid patent.The sleeve 4 also has mounted on it a worm wheel 14 located at one endof the sleeve adjacent one side of the frame and secured to the sleeveby a clamping screw 15 or other suitable means. The clamping screw 15detachably secures the worm to the sleeve and it will be apparent thatwhen the worm becomes worn and requires repair or replacement the rod 6may be readily withdrawn from the frame to afford access to the wormwheel without disturbing the adjustment of the sprocket wheels. Thiswill enable the worm wheel to be readily replaced by an inexperiencedperson and the sleeve may be readily replaced in the frame and theconnecting rod 6 returned to its proper position. The worm wheel mesheswith a worm 16 of a shaft 17 journaled in suitable bearings 18 of theadjacent side of the frame and designed to be equipped at one end with ahand wheel as explained in the aforesaid patent. The worm drives thetubular shaft or sleeve 4 and rotates the sprocket wheels for elevatingthe vertically movable elevator board ortable through the connectingsprocket chains.

The shaft 17 extends longitudinally of the machine above the adjacentside of the frame and the means for automatically rotating the shaft 17for elevating the vertically movable table 2 comprises a ratchet wheel19 fixed to the shaft 17 by means of a clamping screw 20 or othersuitable means and it is engaged by an actuating pawl 21 pivoted at 22to an oscillating member 23 preferably consisting of a casting anddisposed transversely "f the machine and provided at its outer end withan arm 24 which is connected by a link 25 with the mechanism of thefeeder as explained in the aforesaid patent. The upper end of the link25 is provided with a slot 26 in which operates a headed pivot 27mounted on the arm 24. The link, as explained in the aforesaid patent,is continuously reciprocated and patent. The weight 28 is adapted tolift the arm 24 as the link 25 moves upwardly and the link in itsdownward movement actuates the arm 24 to elevate the vertically movabletable 2. The oscillatory member 23 is provided with alug 29 forming ashoulder which is adapted to rest upon a control finger 30 which whenthe stack is elevated to the predetermined level is moved by the meanshereinafter described to a position beneath the lug whereby the weightedinner portion of the oscillatory member will be supported in an elevatedposition to maintain the outer arm 24 in its lower position. The slot 26will permit the link 25 to reciprocate without actuating the arm 24 sothat while the lug and the weighted inner portion of the oscillatorymember is supported in an elevated position by the control finger theelevating mechanism will remain stationary until the sheets from the topof the stack to be fed, sufficiently to cause a feeler finger 31 to movedownwardly and actuate the control finger and swing the latter frombeneath the lug 29 to permit the weight 28 to partially rotate theoscillatory member and elevate the outer arm 24 so that the link 25 inits reciprocation will move the arm 24 downwardly and rotate the ratchetwheel with a step by step movement until the stack is again elevated tothe predetermined level and causes the feeler finger 31 to return thecontrol finger to its supporting position. The oscillatory memher, asexplained in the aforesaid patent, is loose on the shaft 17 and it ismaintained in proper position with relation to the ratchet wheel 19 bymeans of a suitable collar 32 secured by a set screw 33 or othersuitable means to the shaft 17. The control finger which isapproximately straight and vertical is secured at its lower portion byscrews 33 or other suitable fastening devices to an upwardly extendingarm 35 of a lever 36 pivotally mounted on a stud 37 and having anangular-1y related approximately horizontally disposed arm 38 which isrigid with the finger. The stud 37 is mounted on a bracket 39 consistingof a plate suitably secured to the frame of the machine and provicd atits upper portion wih a stop lug 40 arranged in the path of the controlfinger for limiting the movement thereof when the vertically movabletable 2 is empty and the feeler finger 31 is not supported by a stack ofsheets. The upper end 41 of the control finger is beveled to reduce tothe desired extent the area of the supporting surface rovided forengagement with the lug 29 of tie oscillatory member so that acomparativelyslight movement of the feeler finger will operate thecontrol finger. The arm 38 is provided with an open slot or bifurcation42 which receives the terminal portion 43 of an arm 44 of a rock shaft45 disposed longitudinally of the feeder and provided at its ends withcone bearing re-.

cesses 46 and mounted on cone journals 47 The cone journals which arelon itudinally aligned are adj ustably and detacha ly mounted inopenings 48 of spaced supporting arms 49. The supporting arms 49 whichextend inwardly from the adjacent side of the frame are provided attheir lower faces with threaded openings 50 for the reception ofclamping screws 51 which detachably secure the cone pins or journals inthe openings 48 of the supporting arms. The supporting arms arepreferably provided at their outer ends with reduce threaded portions 52which pierce the sides of the frame and are secured to the same by nuts53. By this construction the device may be readily mounted as a unit onthe frame of the feederr The terminal portion of the arm 44 is roundedto work in the bifurcation or slot 42 of the arm of the lever whichcarries the control finger and the said arm 44 is downwardly offset at54 by angular bonds to arrange it clear of the hold-down and registermechanism of the aforesaid application which is designed to be employedon the larger type of feeders. \Vhen, however, the present invention isapplied to feeders of the smaller type not employing the said registerand hold-down mechanism the downwardly offset portion 54 ma be omittedand the bifurcated arm 38 may e arranged in the plane ofthe pivot stud37. This will enable a straight arm to be employed instead of theangularly bent arm 44 and will simplify the construction in such smallfeeders. The rock shaft consists of a flat bar oblong in cross sectionhaving its side faces arranged substantially vertical when in normalposition and the arm 44. is secured by a screw 55 to the outer face ofthe bar or shaft 45. Any other suitable means may, of course, beemployed for securing the arm 44- to the bar 45 which forms a guide fora slide 56 provided with a substantially oblong opening 57 to fit thebar 45 and it has a slot 58 at its outer side adapted to clear thedetached inner end of the arm 44. The opening 57 is enlarged at theinner portion to reduce the friction and the slide is provided with athumb screw 59 mounted in a threaded opening 60 of the slide andarranged to engage the shaft or bar 45 for securing the slide in itsadjustment. The slide carries an arm 61 consisting of a rod mounted in asuitable opening 62 in the inner side of the slide and having mounted onit the feeler finger 31. The feeler finger 31 is provided with a head orenlargement 63 having-an opening 64 through which the arm 61 passes andthe feeler finger is adjustably mounted on the arm 61 by means of aclamping screw 65. Through the longitudinal adjustment of the slide onthe bar or shaft 45 and the transverse adjustment of the feeler finger31 on the arm 61 of the slide, the feeler finger may be positioned atany desired point or over the vertically movable table to arrange it tosuit the size of the sheets to be fed. The feeler finger is provided atits outer or front end with a roll 66 mounted on a screw 67 or othersuitable fastening device which is threaded into the feeler-finger at 68and is provided with a lock nut 69 for securing the screw in itsadjustment. The screw which forms a pivot for the roll is adapted to permit the roll to rotate freely when the feeder is operating on largesheets and it is adapted to firmly clamp the roll against the finger toprovide a rigid engagement between the finger and the sheets when smallsheets are being fed. This will enable the feeder to throw a greaterloop or undulation in the paper and give a better separation of thesheets when running smaller sizes of paper. \Vhen the feeder isoperated. on large sheets the screw is adjusted to permit the roll toturn freely so that the said hold-down and register mechanism may returnto proper position a sheet which has been dragged slightly forward bythe feeder in feeding the preceding sheet. The shaft or bar 45 isprovided at the opposite end to that at which the arm 44 is located witha counter-balancing arm 70 having a reduced end 71 threaded into theshaft or bar 45, but the arm 70 may be constructed in any other desiredmanner. The arm 70 is'equipped with an adjustable counter-balancingweight 72 secured in its adjustment by a clamping screw 73 and adaptedto be positioned on the arm 70 so as to counter-balance or nearlycounter-balance the feeler finger and thereby control the pressure ofthe finger against the sheets or other articles, such as envelopes,being fed by the machine. This will enable the feeler finger to restupon a stack of envelopes at one end without liability of tipping theother end'upward and interfering with the proper feeding of theenvlopes. By means of the counter-balancing weight the pressure of thefeeler finger may be properly adjusted to suit the size of the sheetsand the character of the stock.

The automatic elevating mechanism is equipped with a second ratchetwheel 74 mounted on the shaft 17 and rigidly secured to the same by aclamping screw 75 or other suitable means and engaged by a check pawl76. The check pawl 76 is mounted 011 suit able pivots 77 carried by abracket 78 and preferably secured in an opening thereof by means of aset screw 79. The check pawl is adapted to hold the shaft 17 againstretrograde rotation while the pawl is moving in a counter-clockwisedirection. The second pawl and ratchet will effectually prevent ack-lashof the elevating mechanism.

What is claimed is 1. An automatic paper elevator control including aframe, a verticallry movable table adapted to support a pile 0 sheets, across rod extending across the frame and detachably secured to the same,a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve mounted on the cross rod andsupported in spaced relation with the same, sprocket wheels carried bythe tubular shaft the said sleeve and sprocket Wheels being adapted tobe removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, sprocket chainsarranged on the sprocket wheels and connected with the verticallymovable table, gearing connected with the tubular shaft for rotating thesame to raise and lower the table, means for actuating the gearing stepby step, a fecler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported bythe said table, and means actuated by the feeler for controlling theoperation of the gearing.

2. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spacedsides, a cross rod extending across the frame and detachably secured atits ends to the sides thereof, a tubular shaft consisting of a sleevemounted on the cross rod and provided with interior bearings supportingthe shaft in spaced relation with the said rod, sprocket wheels mountedon the tubular shaft, the said sleeve and sprocket wheels being adaptedto be removed as a unit when the cross rod is detached, sprocket chainsarranged on the sprocket wheels and connected with the verticallymovable table, a worm wheel also mounted on the tubular shaft, alongitudinally disposed shaft having a Worm meshing with the worm wheel,means for actuating the longitudinal shaft step by step, a feeleradapted to rest upon the top of the stack of sheets supported by saidtable, and means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation ofthe mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft.

3. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spacedsides, a cross rod connecting the sides and detachably secured to thesame, a tubular shaft extending across the frame and provided withinterior bearings supporting the tubular shaft in spaced relation withthe said rod, the said tubular shaft and bearings being adapted to beremoved as a unit when the cross rod is detached, vertically movabletable adapted to support a stack of sheets, means whereby the rotationof the shaft raises or lowers said table, a worm wheel mounted on thetubular shaft, a longitudinal shaft having a worm meshing with the wormwheel, mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft step by step,

a feeler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the tableand means actuated by the feeler for controlling the operation of themechanism for rotating the 1011- gitudinal shaft.

4. An automatic paper elevator control including a frame having spacedsides, a vertically movable table adapted to support a stack of sheets,a cross rod connecting the sides of the frame and detachably secured tothe same, a tubular shaft consisting of a sleeve arranged on the crossrod and having its opening enlarged at the ends, anti-friction bearingsmounted in the enlarged ends of the opening of the sleeve and supportingthe same in space relation with the cross rod, sprocket Wheels mountedon the tubular shaft, the tubular shaft, the sprocket wheels and thebearings being adapted to be removed as a unit when the cross rod isdetached, sprocket chains connected with the vertically movable tableand arranged on the sprocket wheels, a worm wheel mounted on the shaftat one end thereof, a longitudinal shaft having a worm meshing with theworm wheel, mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft step by stepto elevate the table, a feeler adapted to rest upon the stack of sheetssupported by the table, and means actuated by the feeler for controllingthe operation of the mechanism for rotating the longitudinal shaft.

5. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustabletable adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the tablestep by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a substantiallyvertical control finger movable to and from a position beneath theoscillatory member for supporting the same out of operation, saidcontrol finger having an angularly related arm, a longitudinallydisposed rock shaft provided with an arm connected to and directlyactuating the arm of the control finger and a feeler carried by the rockshaft and adaptedto rest upon the stack of sheets supported by saidtable and adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of differentsizes.

6. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustabletable adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the tablestep by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a substantiallyvertical control finger pivotally mounted at the lower end and providedwit an angularly related arm, said finger being movable to and from aposition beneath the oscillatory member for supporting the latter out ofo eration, a longitudinally disposed rock sha t having an arm directlyconnected to the arm of the control finger for actuating the latter, anda feeler carried by the rock shaft and adapted to rest upon the stack ofsheet supported by the table and adjustable along the rock shaft toengage sheets of different sizes.

7. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustabletable adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for raising the' tablestep by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a bracket mounted onthe frame and having a stud, an angle lever pivotally mounted on thestud, an approximately vertical control finger carried by one arm of thesaid lever and movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatorymember for supporting the latter in inoperative position, alongitudinally disposed rock shaft having an arm directly connected tothe other arm of the said lever, and a feeler carried by the rock shaftand adapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the said tableand adjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

8. An automatic paper elevator control including a vertically adjustabletable adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for ra1sing the tablestep by step, including a pawl a ratchet and a Weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, an angle leverarranged to swing longitudinally of the table and having anapproximately vertical control finger movable to and from a positionbeneath the oscillatory memher for supporting the latter .in aninoperative position, a rock shaft extending longitudinally of the tableand provided with an arm connected directly to the angle lever foractuating the control finger, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft andadapted to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table andadjustable along the rock shaft to engage sheets of different sizes.

9. Anautomatic pa er elevator control including a vertically a justabletable adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for armsing the tablestep by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a Weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, an angle lever pivotedat its angle and having at one arm a substantially vertical controlfinger movable to and from a position beneath the oscillatory member forsupporting the latter in an inoperative position, the other arm of thelever being provided with a slot, a longitudinal rock shaft providedwith an arm downwardly offset and provided with a terminal portionoperating in the slot of the angle lever, and a feeler carried by therock sh aft and arranged to rest upon the stack of sheets supported bythe table. I

10. An automatic paper elevator control including a verticallyadjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raisingthe table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction,

control mechanism comprising spaced supports provided with means forsecuring them to a feeder, a bracket located between the supbeneath theoscillatory member to support.

the latter in an inoperative position, a lon itudinal rock shaft mountedbetween t e spaced supports and provided with an arm extending to anddirectly connected with the sald lever for actuating the control finger,and a feeler carried by the rock shaft and arranged to rest upon thestack of sheets supported by the table.

11. An automatic paper elevator control including a verticallyadjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raisingthe table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, controlmechanism comprisin a lever arranged to swing longitudinally of t etable and having a control finger movable to and from a position forsupporting the oscillatory member and adapted to support the latter inan inoperative position, a longitudinal rock shaft, an arm extendingfrom the rock shaft and directly connected to the said lever foractuating the control finger, a slide mounted on the bar and providedwith an opening to permit it to clear the said arm, and a feeler carriedby the slide and adapted to rest upon phbelstack of sheets and supportedby the said 12. automatic paper elevator control including a verticallyadjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raisingthe table step by step, including a pawl a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted to move the direction, control mechanismcomprising a lever arranged to swing longitudinally of the table andhaving a control finger movable to and from a osition for supporting theoscillatory mem er and adapted to support the latter in an inoperativeposition, a longitudinal rock shaft consisting of a flat bar, an armextending from one of the side faces of the said bar and directlyconnected to the said lever, a slide mounted on the rock shaft andadjustable to difi'erent positions on the same and having an opening toenable it to clear the said arm, an inwardly extending arm carried bythe slide, and a feeler mounted on the said inwardly extending arm andadapted to rest upon the stack of sheets sup ported by the table.

13. An automatic paper elevator control including a verticallyadjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raisingthe table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction,

pawl in one control mechanism comprising a pivotally a pawl, a ratchetand a weighte oscillatory mounted control finger movable to and from aposition for supporting the oscillatory member out of operation, alongitudinal rock shaft having inwardly and outwardly extending arms,the outwardly extending arm being connected with and ada ted to actuatethe control finger, and a fee er finger carried by the adapted tosupport a stack of sheets, means for'raising the table step by steincluding member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a controlfinger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatorymember out of operation, a rock shaft connected with the control fingerfor actuating the same, and a feeler carried by the rock shaft andprovided with a roll arranged to rest uponthestack of sheets supportedby the table, said feeler having means for locking the roll againstrotation for holding small sheets against sliding movement and for penmitting a sliding movement of large sheets.

15. An automatic paperelevator control including a vertically adjustabletable adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raising the tablestep by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weighted oscillatorymember adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a control fingermovable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatory member outof operation, a rock shaft connected with the control finger foractuating the same, a feeler carried by the rock shaft and provided witha roll arranged to rest upon the stack of sheets supported by the table,said feeler having means for locking the roll against rotation forholding small sheets against sliding movement and for permitting aslidingmovement of large sheets, and means for counter-balancing thefeeler for controlling tbs pressure of the same upon the sheets to be16. An automatic pa er elevator control including a vertically ajustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for rais ingthe table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted tomovethe awl in one direction, a controlfinger movab e to and from a position for supporting the oscillatorymember out of operation, a rock shaft connected with the control fingerfor actuating the same, a feeler carried by the rock shaft and providedwith a roll arranged to rest u on the stack of sheets supported by thetab e, said feeler having means for locking the roll against rotationfor holding small sheets against Sliding movement and for permitting asliding movement of large sheets, and an arm carried by the rock shaftand provided with an adjustable weight arranged to counter-balance thefeeler for controlling the pressure of the same upon the sheets to befed. 17. An automatic paper elevator control including a verticallyadjustable table adapted to support a stack of sheets, means for raisingthe table step by step, including a pawl, a ratchet and a weightedoscillatory member adapted to move the pawl in one direction, a controlfinger movable to and from a position for supporting the oscillatorymember out of operation, a rock shaft having inwardly and outwardlyextending arms the outwardly extending arm being connected with andadapted to actuate the control finger, a feeler carried by the inwardlyextending arm and arranged to rest upon the pile of sheets supported bythe table, and an arm extending from the rock shaft and at one endthereof and provided with an adjustable weight arranged tocouriten-balance the feeler for controlling the pressure of the sameagainst the sheets to be fed.

LESTER KYLE ALDRICH.

